Comptroller Kevin Lembo said that Senate Republicans knowingly blocked
legislation necessary to continue operating the Connecticut State Employees
Campaign for Charitable Giving (CSEC) - a program that delivers millions of
dollars to charities helping people across the state.

"This is politics at its worst - killing a charitable campaign that delivers
millions of dollars to protect victims of domestic violence, children with
special needs and many others at no cost to taxpayers," Lembo said. "I urge the
legislature, during its special session, to revive this essential charitable
program for the sake of hundreds of charities, the people they help, and the
economic impact associated with the work that these charities do."

The CSEC has allowed state employees, through payroll deduction and other
ways, to donate millions of their own dollars to hundreds of charities over the
years. Top beneficiaries have included Foodshare, the Connecticut Food Bank,
United Way of Central and Northeast Connecticut, American Cancer Society (New
England Division), Hole in the Wall Gang and Windham Area Interfaith Ministry.
Other beneficiaries include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Planned
Parenthood Southern New England and the Connecticut Chapter of Alzheimer's
Association.

State law governing the CSEC required legislative clarification or no
organizations capable and willing to administer the program would qualify to do
so. The legislation also sought to improve accountability and reduce
administrative fees - capping fees at 15 percent.

After the bill received unanimous support in the House, Republicans in the
Senate blocked the bill - even after being notified that their actions would
kill the entire program.

"These Senate Republicans knew that this bill was essential to the survival
of this charitable program - but they proceeded anyway," Lembo said.

Charities in Senate Republican districts that will be denied access to these
funds include the Women & Families Center and Chrysalis, both of Meriden; Bread
for Life and YMCA, both of Southington; United Way of Western Connecticut in
Danbury; and Favarh - "The Arc of the Farmington Valley" - of Canton.